My grandpa taught me a trick back in 2009 with a catfish and a pair of needle nose pliers. He grabbed the skin behind the head, stuck the pliers in, and peeled the whole thing off like a sock, no knife needed at all. I laughed at him right up until I tried it and realized he was dead right. Same idea as your spoon thing honestly, it is all about getting a grip on the edge so you can pull instead of pick. I still think about that old man every time I clean a fish and it has been 15 years now. Some of those old timers just know stuff that no video can teach you.

Seeing how they strap down a Porsche is a smart check. Videos show the little things, like if they use soft straps on the wheels or just hook the frame and hope for the best. I watched one guy drag a strap across a fender and that was enough for me. It beats a five star review from someone shipping a beater Civic.